MATH 141 -
PRECALCULUS
(SPRING
2026)
CALENDAR /
YOUTUBE VIDEO PLAYLISTS (optional)
WiFi, EMAIL, STUDENT RESOURCES, CAMPUS
EVENTS
GOING ONLINE!
CANVAS:
Discussion Boards and NetTutor!
I don’t do
much with Canvas, but a student discussion board and a NetTutor
link are there.
https://sdccd.instructure.com/login/canvas
Notes on using the Canvas site:
ALEKS Extra Credit
(This review can especially help with the very
difficult Chapter 0.)
YOU
CAN PAY FOR AN ALEKS LICENSE.
IF
YOU DIDN’T GET MY EMAIL WITH THE CLASS CODE, AND IF IT’S NOT ON CANVAS, Email me
GETTING
STARTED:
ALEKS: Getting Started
(.pdf)
Orientation
Quick Tips (.pdf)
Orientation PowerPoint
(.ppt)
Printing Suggestions for Typed Files
I recommend two-page-to-a-side and/or double-sided printing to
save paper. Color printing is nice, but B&W printing is cheaper.
These
are pdf files. You can get the free Adobe Reader at http://www.adobe.com. Get a version that is
compatible with your system!
Old Syllabus (Fall 2025)
Syllabus (Spring 2026; available by Mon., 2/2/26):
Homework Assignments
#1-A:
HW Answers (Ch.0 in my notes) (90 points)
#1-B:
HW Answers (Ch.1) (60 points)
#2:
HW Answers (Chs.2 and 3) (150 points)
#3:
HW Answers (Ch.4) (150 points)
#4:
HW Answers (Chs.5 and 6) (150 points)
#5:
HW Answers (Chs.7-10) (250 points)
PolarGraphPaper
(Ch.10; created using Mathematica
with Microsoft Word)
Class Notes
Many
students benefit from printing the notes for a lecture beforehand, reviewing
them, and commenting on them in class.
You
may want to take personalized sketch notes in class.
Creative Commons License: For
attribution, simply mention my name and/or web URL somewhere if you are using
huge chunks of the notes. I simply want due credit.
NOTES FOR QUIZZES 1A AND 1B
GOODIES FOR CHAPTER 0
(QUIZ 1A)
GOODIES FOR CHAPTER 1
(QUIZ 1B)
Chapter
0: Preliminary Topics:
QUADRATIC FORMULA SONG! (SECTION 0.11):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfpkQVyqK7c
Chapter
1: Functions
CORRECTION to 1.2.3! In the middle of page 1.2.3, -9 (instead of 9)
is not in the domain of f.
MATH DANCES FOR GRAPHING!
http://9gag.com/gag/4419992/do-the-math-dance
(correction: x^2 + y^2 = r^2)
http://www.seyedrezabazyar.com/fa/math-dances/
https://www.reddit.com/r/geek/comments/444shr/dancing_mathematician/
(see the dance!)
(The
following notes are older. Section and page references may be inconsistent with
the new Chapters 0 and 1. Please Email me
with comments/suggestions.)
NOTES FOR MIDTERM 2
GOODIES FOR CHAPTERS 2-3
(MIDTERM 2)
Chapter
2: Polynomial and Rational Functions
Chapter
3: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
CARD SHARKS AND (NEARLY) EXPONENTIAL GROWTH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb7mN5MObLE&list=PL5K97sZrlm86aVXIGEMqPhdDcGCyRFk5j&index=2&t=7s
NOTES FOR MIDTERM 3
GOODIES FOR CHAPTER 4
(MIDTERM 3)
Chapter
4: Trigonometry
Basic
Trig IDs (handout in class): Basic Trig IDs
VISUALIZING THE SIX BASIC TRIG FUNCTIONS:
http://www.kkuniyuk.com/TrigSixParts.pdf
NOTES FOR MIDTERM 4
GOODIES FOR CHAPTERS 5-6
(MIDTERM 4)
Chapter
5: Analytic Trigonometry
More
Trig IDs (handout in class): Handout.
Handout with
Numbered Identities
Chapter
6: Additional Topics in Trigonometry
KHAN ACADEMY ON EULER FORMULA. (Do you have emotion?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgNtPOgFje0
NOTES FOR FINAL
GOODIES FOR CHAPTERS 7-10
(FINAL)
Chapter
7: Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Chapter
8: Matrices and Determinants
Chapter
9: Discrete Math
SECTION 9.4: KHAN ACADEMY ON INDUCTION: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra-home/alg-series-and-induction/alg-induction/v/proof-by-induction
SECTION 9.5: VIDEOS AND PASCAL’S TRIANGLE MAGIC: CLICK ON Notes for Final
Chapter
10: Conics and Polar Coordinates [as time permits] (Ch.10 is partly
handwritten.)
ANIMATION ON CONICS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO2zAU3Eppo
Corrections: (0:48-1:07) The
double-nappe cone (or simply cone here should not be thought of as finite, so
there are no bases nd there is no base perimeter. The term directrix is used elsewhere,
especially when describing parabolas.
In
previous semesters, the final was cumulative. For your information, here was
the outline provided: Math141OldFinalOutline.pdf
Old Exams and Solutions (Fall 2025)
Quiz 1A Solutions (1 hour and
15 minutes)
Chapter
0: Preliminary Topics
Quiz 1B Solutions (50 minutes)
Chapter
1: Functions
Midterm #2 Solutions (1 hour for
Part 1; 1 hour and 10 minutes for Part 2)
Chapter
2: Polynomial and Rational Functions
Chapter
3: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Midterm #3 Solutions (40 minutes
for Part 1; 1 hour and 30 minutes for Part 2); see below
Chapter
4: Trigonometry
Midterm #4 Solutions (45 minutes
for Part 1; 1 hour and 25 minutes for Part 2)
Chapter
5: Analytic Trigonometry
Chapter
6: Additional Topics in Trigonometry
Final Solutions (2 hours
and 20 minutes)
WARNING:
In the Fall 2025 term, because of the shortened 31-day schedule, Section 9.4
and Chapter 10 were not covered on the Fall 2025 final; this material may well
be covered in later terms.
In
general, material covered in later terms may differ.
Chapter
7: Systems of Equations [and Inequalities] (Sections 7.5, 7.6 not on Final.)
Chapter
8: Matrices and Determinants
(Sections 8.3, 8.5 not on Final.)
Chapter
9: Discrete Math
Chapter
10: Conics and Polar Coordinates
Current Exams and Solutions (Spring 2026)
•
Exams and solutions will be posted around the time they are graded.
Class Resources
TEST-TAKING TIPS; REDUCING TEST ANXIETY: Test.html Test.pdf
(pdf file)
FREE ONLINE BOOK (OPENSTAX PRECALCULUS): https://openstax.org/details/precalculus
FREE ONLINE BOOK (PRECALCULUS DEMYSTIFIED): http://libraryproxy.sdmesa.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=138326&site=ehost-live
FREE MATH AND SCIENCE WORKSHOPS! http://www.sdmesa.edu/STEMworkshops
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